The cost of living rose again in January, with the consumer price index (CPI) up 3.39% over January 2012 to stand at 104.44, permanent secretary for commerce Watcharee Wimuktayon said on Friday.
The CPI figure rose 0.16% from December 2012 but it was lower than the 3.5% previously forcast by analysts, she said.
Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, for the month stood at 102.79, up 1.59% on January 2012, and an increase of 0.08% on December 2012.
The price index for food and beverages for January was up 4.30% on the same month last year and an increase of 0.08% on December 2012, to stand at 106.59.
The non-food and beverage index stood at 103.05, up 2.78% on the same month last year and up 0.20% on December 2012.
Mrs Watcharee projected that inflation in 2013 would be in the range of 2.8% to 3.5%.
The projection was based on the hypothesis that the price of Dubai crude oil would be US$100-120 per barrel, and the exchange rate 28.5-32.5 baht to the US dollar, she added.